First-Year Apprentice Welder (no experience needed!)

• Building the life you want starts with acquiring skills that are in demand.
• As a Red Seal tradesperson, career potential is unlimited.
• It all starts with apprenticeship; a unique opportunity to earn and learn while building your career.

British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) Apprenticeship Services is launching a major industry-wide drive supporting small and medium construction employers to hire and register first-year apprentices.

This province-wide recruitment drive is administered by BCCA as part of the BCCA Apprentices Services campaign. BCCA is launching a 22-month campaign funded by the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service to enable small and medium-sized employers in BC’s construction industry to hire and register first-year apprentices.

As part of the service to employers, BCCA will build a pool of qualified jobseekers, provide culture training via its Builders Code program, and mentorship support through its new Building Builders initiative.

Additional apprenticeship supports, advice, and resources will also be made available to successful job applicants.

To learn more about BCCA Apprenticeship Services, click here .

About the Opportunity

British Columbia has an increasing demand for skilled tradespeople, resulting in rewarding employment opportunities. As a first-year apprentice, you will be starting a career path towards obtaining your SkilledTradesBC trade certification and Red Seal endorsement.

This is a great opportunity to get hands-on training while receiving a competitive wage for your work!

A typical day as a welder could include working in a specialty fabrication shop, on an assembly line, or on-site (such as construction sites or ship-building projects).

Welders build, assemble, and repair products made of metals for use in a variety of manufacturing and construction industries.

Responsibilities often include operating machinery as well as performing welding inspections and testing procedures.

Day-to-day as an apprentice you could be :

• Performing physical tasks related to hoisting, rigging, cleaning, and inventory management
• Reading and interpreting drawings and specifications
• Applying various welding methods such as Stick, MIG, and TIG
• Performing welding, brazing, soldering, positioning, tacking, and bolting tasks
• Performing free-hand, guided, and automatic machine cutting tasks
• Working shifts in a production line environment
• Practicing worksite safety and hazard prevention

About You

BCCA Apprenticeship Services is looking for applicants interested in pursuing a career in construction as a first-year apprentice welder.

The ideal candidate should be interested in starting a career path towards certification as a Red Seal welder and should be motivated to learn, reliable, and hardworking.

To succeed as a first-year apprentice welder, you :

• Communicate, work well with others, and follow directions well
• Have good dexterity and like to work with your hands
• Enjoy working indoors or outdoors in all seasons
• Enjoy working on your feet for long periods
• Like to solve problems and build solutions
• Are physically fit with stamina for repetitive tasks
• Have experience using hand and power tools
• Are willing to follow safety guidelines at all times
• Understand basic math
• Have strong fine motor skills
• Are in good physical condition with good endurance

Other qualifications can include (but are not required) :

• Familiarity with welding or heavy construction tasks
• Background on an assembly line or factory settings
• Hands-on experience working with metal, automotive or marine parts
• Occupational First Aid training or SiteReadyBC certification
• High school diploma and / or completion of the Welding Foundation or Level 1 Training from a SkilledTradesBC recognized post-secondary institution in BC
• Valid BC driver’s license and reliable vehicle
• Prior experience in construction (hobbies, summer jobs, or volunteer activities), agriculture or forestry, manufacturing, marine services or fisheries, municipal work, or other non-construction trades are a bonus

The Benefits of Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship offers a pathway to a successful career in construction. You will earn an income while gaining work-based training hours, education, and certification.

Apprentices are eligible for government grants, tax credits, and employment insurance while attending training. This can help you offset the cost of training and certification and allow you to complete your apprenticeship and minimize student debt.

For more information on the benefits of apprenticeship, see SkilledTradesBC’s Apprentice Guidebook .

If this sounds like you, and you want to start your career in construction, we encourage you to apply today!